13 Aug 2019

Today's sports news: what you need to know

11:20 am on 13 August 2019

Latest - Andy Murray says he will not play singles at the US Open after losing his first singles match since career-saving hip surgery in January.

Andy Murray 2019

Andy Murray Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The British former world number one said he intends to play doubles and mixed doubles at the Grand Slam in New York, which starts on 26 August.

Murray, 32, lost 6-4 6-4 to France's Richard Gasquet in Cincinnati.

The three-time Grand Slam winner broke down in tears at January's Australian Open, fearing his career might be over.

The Scot returned to competitive action in the Queen's doubles in June - going on to win the tournament alongside Spain's Feliciano Lopez - and has played in four more doubles events.

Tall Blacks beaten

The New Zealand men's basketball team paid the price for a slow start in their opening World Cup warm up game, losing 99-89 to a fired-up Japan.

Paul Henare

Paul Henare Photo: Photosport

The home side were quick out of the blocks in front of a sell-out crowd, while the Tall Blacks couldn't find a basket and found themselves trailing 18-2 midway through the first quarter.

There was no panic in the New Zealand team though, and they slowly but surely clawed their way back into the contest, down by 11 at the end of the first quarter and within six by halftime.

That effort told, however, as Japan broke the game open in the third, eventually winning by 10.

Tall Blacks Head coach Paul Henare was pleased with the effort of his side, if not the execution at times in their first game of the World Cup campaign.

Tai Webster had 18 points and 7 assists, Isaac Fotu had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Corey Webster, Ethan Rusbatch, Rob Loe and Tom Abercrombie all ended in double figures.

The two teams back up again in Kawasaki tomorrow night.

Jones and Wiki into Hall of Fame.

Two of New Zealand's greatest ever rugby league players - Stacey Jones and Ruben Wiki - will join Danny Buderus and Craig Young as the latest to enter the NRL Hall of Fame.

Junior Warriors coach and club legend Stacey Jones

Junior Warriors coach and club legend Stacey Jones Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The governing body announced the four former champion players would be formally inducted at a ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Jones is largely remembered as the country's best playmaker, scoring 160 points in 46 Tests for the Kiwis, and leading Auckland to their first grand final in 2002.

He played 261 games for the Warriors before retiring in 2009.

Wiki is regarded as one of the toughest players of his era, beginning in the centres in Canberra before transitioning into front-row.

He was part of the Raiders' premiership triumph in 1994, playing the majority of his 311 games in the nation's capital before playing four seasons with the Warriors.

His 55 Tests is still the record for most games for New Zealand.

-AAP

Eels player under investigation

Parramatta have been rocked by an NRL investigation into photographs appearing to show former Warriors forward Shaun Lane in possession of a white substance.

The NRL integrity unit is believed to be looking at two images, understood to be taken last year, of a man holding a plastic bag containing the substance.

The second photo shows the man, with the bag still in his hand, appearing to put something in his mouth.

News Corp Australia report the photos were taken during Manly's end-of-season celebrations, which Lane was a part of before moving to the Eels this year.

The Eels have issued a statement confirming they are "aware of photos which allegedly feature a current Eels player", and that they "will be making no further comment until the investigation has been completed".

The development come with the Eels on the cusp of sealing a stunning return to the finals, less than a year after finishing with the wooden spoon.

-AAP

Anscombe to miss World Cup

Wales first five Gareth Anscombe has been ruled out of Rugby World Cup contention after suffering a knee injury during his team's loss to England in a warm-up match yesterday.

Gareth Anscombe of Wales kicks at goal

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand-born Anscombe, 28, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the first half and tried to play through the pain before leaving the field.

Anscombe had established himself as the first-choice Wales first five this year.

Coach Warren Gatland will name his 31-man World Cup squad in early September with Dan Biggar, Jarrod Evans and Rhys Patchell in contention for the No.10 jersey.

Wales play England again in another warm-up match in Cardiff on Saturday, before facing Ireland at home and away.

They begin their World Cup Pool D campaign on 23 September against Georgia in Toyota City.

Go here for more on this story.

-Reuters

Jones makes changes to England World Cup squad

England rugby coach Eddie Jones left experienced centre Ben Te'o out of his 31-man World Cup squad and included uncapped winger Ruaridh McConnochie and newly-capped flanker Lewis Ludlam.

Jones opted for only two halfbacks, the experienced Ben Youngs and rookie New Zealand-born Willi Heinz, for the tournament in Japan starting next month.

Halfback Willi Heinz playing for Canterbury.

Former Crusaders and Canterbury halfback Willi Heinz has been named in England's 2019 RWC squad. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

First five Owen Farrell was named as captain for his second World Cup and McConnochie is the only uncapped player in the squad.

Eight players named were from Premiership champions Saracens including lock Maro Itoje, number eight Billy Vunipola and prop Mako Vunipola.

Ludlam and hooker Jack Singleton, who won their first caps alongside Heinz in England's win over Wales in a warm-up match yesterday, also made the cut with injured former New Zealand under-20 flanker Brad Shields missing out.

There was no place for Te'o, who was excluded from the final week of an England training camp after being involved in an altercation with team mate Mike Brown.

-Reuters

Gasly dumped from Red Bull

Toro Rosso rookie Alexander Albon will replace under-performing Pierre Gasly as Max Verstappen's Red Bull teammate from the next race in Belgium until the end of the Formula One season.

F1 driver Pierre Gasly

F1 driver Pierre Gasly Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Gasly will go in the other direction, taking British-born Thai driver Albon's seat at the sister team where the 23-year-old Frenchman started out before being promoted at the end of last year.

The Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is on 1 September and is the first race after Formula One's August break.

Verstappen has won two of 12 races this season and is third overall on 181 points while Gasly, the 2016 GP2 champion, has struggled with just 63 points.

Red Bull are third in the constructors' standings but need both drivers finishing consistently high up to have a chance of overtaking Ferrari, who are 44 points ahead of them in second place with champions Mercedes far in front.

-Reuters